No matter how much I practice, it ain't working. My stitches are too big. I am on a Designer 1. I installed the FMQ foot correctly, it works fine. I just don't. I have the feed dog down, a straight stitch, etc. I think everything is set up right, I just can't get the size of the sttiches to stay even. What can I do? Is there someone who can give me a basic lesson on how to using my machine? I am trying to finish a quilt by Monday. I have most of it done using SID along the seam lines. Now I am trying to FMQ the border and I am pulling my hair (what is left) out. Please, somebody!!!

If your stitches are too big, you may be moving the fabric too fast. Try slowing down just a bit, and it may also help give you more control to help with even stitches~ :)

Could you do a grid of straight stitching in your border? It might reflect the SID work you have already done.

Getting the stitches to be even takes a lot of patience, and practise. Try slowing your speed down a bit to med-high.
Start with straight lines until you get that stitch even
Then try gentle curves. Most of us have a tendency to speed up going around in circles or arcs just because it feels smoother that way. Listen to the sound of your machine - if it stays the same when you're stitching. Then you've be able to catch things like speeding up/slowing down.
All you have to do is make sure the speed of the machine remains constant, and you take the time to move the fabric at a consistent speed.

That will help me, too. thanks

go to you tube and watch some of these videos....maybe you can get some pointers =) I want to eventually get to free motion but I'm not there yet. I do like watching though...

Quilting and Crafting with Leah Day
lcvday's Channel

You will find your rhythm of how fast to make the machine go vs how fast to move the fabric :D:D:D

Hello I find using a test piece is a good way to pratice doing this. I had a problem close to what u did I set my machine on the lowest speed and slowed down when moving the fabric around. In the guild I was in they said pratice is the only way to get better at FMQ. ( sorry)

practice, practice, practice and before you work on a actual quilt, warm up on a scrap

Are you using the "R" foot or a spring type darning foot?
I have a Sapphire 875 and find that the spring darning foot works so much better for me. The Machinger quilters gloves are a huge help too. I take the sm/med. size.
http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...Gloves.php#mac
I set the tension lower too and it seems to help. Slow down and remember to breathe and relax. This is supposed to be fun.
Sharon W.